Atlanta United clinches playoff berth; now what?

Atlanta United head into the 2018 playoffs with championship hopes, but there remains questions about how the team will best prepare for a shot at glory.

After a dominant expansion season which saw Atlanta United make the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Five Stripes return to postseason action by securing their spot in the 2018 playoffs after D.C. United’s draw with NYCFC 1-1 on Saturday.

There was really no doubt that Tata Martino and company would make the playoffs, but officially clinching a spot in the top six raises a few questions for the Five Stripes as they head into the final two months of the regular season.

Perhaps the largest question looming around Mercedes Benz Stadium is when to rest star players and when to put the best XI on the field.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Atlanta United supporters have endured a hefty amount of injuries with vital players like Darlington Nagbe and Greg Garza being left off the field for extended periods of time due to medical issues. The threat of injuries makes Tata Martino’s job much more complicated heading into the final stretch with the risk of injuring other high-caliber players such as Miguel Almiron and goal-scoring leader Josef Martinez.

Although injuries may propose a threat for Atlanta’s quest for the MLS Cup, the team has more than enough depth to give players rest while also grabbing much-needed points to ensure that the best are available for when it matters most.

Within the midfield position, Tata Martino has a plethora of options to choose from, specifically in the defensive midfield role with the much-anticipated return of MLS Cup winner Darlington Nagbe. The MLS veteran gives Martino the ability to rest either Nagbe, Jeff Larentowitz, or newly acquired Eric Remedi. All three have proven to be vital for the Five Stripes’ success this season and rest will prove to be beneficial heading into the postseason.

The midfield depth continues with the possible appearance of Atlanta-native Andrew Carleton who has already appeared for limited minutes in the season, but has impressed supporters with his play in that limited time.

The last seven matches of the 2018 season give Atlanta United everything to play for and more as they continue their race with NYCFC and the New York Red Bulls for a potential top two seed in the Eastern Conference. The top two teams in each conference will receive a first-round bye instead of playing in a one-game playoff to determine who advances.

Atlanta United seem to be in an ideal situation to clinch a first-round bye because of world-class performances from several players, more specifically the record-breaking season of forward, Josef Martinez. The Venezuelan has racked up 28 goals and is looking for more to extend his MLS goal-scoring record.

Martino faces an important and difficult decision regarding the playing time of Martinez. Losing him due to injury would seemingly put an end to any MLS Cup hopes for Atlanta. But then benching Martinez for a long period of time would put a damper on the goal-scoring fire that has dismantled defenses all season long.

The Five Stripes do possess relatively strong depth in the forward position with players like Romario Williams and Brandon Vazquez who have appeared in small amounts throughout the 2018 season.

After falling short of glory in the inaugural campaign, Atlanta United are once again a force to be reckoned with heading into the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, but questions still remain of how the team will arrive.